Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College's networking program produces impressive early earnings—$47,268 puts graduates well above both national and state medians—but the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these outcomes could shift significantly year to year. For context, this beats 95% of similar programs nationally, though it ranks middle-of-the-pack among Wisconsin's 18 networking programs, far behind Madison Area Technical College's $65,324.

The financial structure works strongly in students' favor. With just $13,500 in median debt (about $8,000 less than typical for this field), graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29—meaning they owe less than four months' salary. Earnings also grow steadily, reaching $55,927 by year four, a healthy 18% increase that suggests stable career progression in Wisconsin's IT sector.

The caveat here is the small sample size, which makes these numbers less reliable than those from larger programs. But the fundamentals are sound: low debt, above-average starting pay, and consistent growth. If your student can handle the uncertainty of limited data, this program offers a practical path into networking with minimal financial risk.